Wall element having means for selective heating and cooling thereof

ABSTRACT

The wall element is formed as a window with an enclosed space. Heat transmitters or exchangers are disposed in the enclosed space to either heat or cool a circulating light-transmitting heat carrier medium in the space so as to balance the heat loss effect of windows in buildings. The medium can be circulated through the enclosed space in any of a number of paths.

United States Patent Inventor Hans R. Tsehudin Sissaeh, Switzerland Appl. No. 741,524 Filed July 1, 1968 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Sulver Brothers, Ltd.

Wintberthur, Switzerland Priority July 4, 1967 Switzerland 9611/67 WALL ELEMENT HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVE HEATING AND COOLING THEREOF 20 Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 165/48, 52/171, 52/398,165/61, 165/107, 165/128, 353/54 Int. Cl. ..F24d 12/00, F241 5/00 FieldoiSearch 52/17l, 398; 219/203, 522; 350/1, 312; 353/54; 165/48, 107,106,61,128

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,957,279 5/1934 Linke 52/171 X 2,269,566 1/1942 Van Daamh... 219/203 2,386,339 10/ 1945 O'Connor 52/171 2,543,363 2/1951 Glendinning et al.. 219/203 3,192,575 7/1965 Rosenau, Jr. et al 52/171 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,069,063 2/1954 France 35 3/54 970,699 10/1958 Germany 353/54 Primary Examiner-Albert W. Davis, Jr. Attorney-Kenyon & Kenyon, Reilly Carr & Chapin ABSTRACT: The wall element is formed as a window with an enclosed space. Heat transmitters or exchangers are disposed in the enclosed space to either heat or cool a circulating lighttransmitting heat carrier medium in the space so as to balance the heat loss efiect of windows in buildings. The medium can be circulated through the enclosed space in any of a number of paths.

WALL ELEMENT HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVE HEATING AND COOLING THEREOF This invention relates to a wall element. More particularly, this invention relates to a wall element constructed to act as a window.

Windows are known to represent particular difficulties in the air-conditioning of rooms, for they constitute, in the summer, a substantial source of heat and, in the winter, a source for substantially lowering of the heat, factors which render the air-conditioning of a room burdensome.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, windows have in some instances been constructed with a pair of spaced panes so as to enclose an insulation space of dead air. Also, in other instances, heating elements have been positioned in front of the windows in order to reduce the heat loss or gain effect of the windows.

However, these structures have frequently not been capable of effectively reducing the disadvantages of windows for substantial periods or to substantial degrees.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to arrest and to balance substantially ahead or in front of the inner window pane of a window the burdensome effects exerted by windows on the air-conditioning of rooms.

It is another object of the invention to heat or to cool a window in such a way that the surface of the interior pane acts under external and internal climatic conditions calling for a heating of a room as a heat-emitting and at climatic conditions calling for a cooling of the room as a heat-absorbing room limitation.

It is another object of the invention to maintain the surface of the interior pane of a double-pane window substantially at the temperature of the other room defining surface.

Briefly, the invention provides a wall element which is constructed as a window having a hollow space defined on one side facing into a room by a front wall of light-transmissive material and on the other side facing the exterior of the room by a rear wall of similar material. The wall element also includes at least one heat-transmitting element which is disposed in the hollow space in order to transmit heat to or from a light-transmissive heat carrier medium within the hollow space. The heat transmitter is either supplied with heat from an external source so as to heat a heat carrier medium disposed within the hollow space to a predetermined temperature sufficient to protect against a loss of room heat through the wall element or supplied with the heat of the heat carrier medium via a heat exchange to cool the heat carrier medium to a predetermined temperature sufficient to protect against introduction of heat into the room through the wall element. Further, the heat transmitter or transmitters are positioned in the enclosed space so as to produce or permit a circulation of the heat carrier medium within the space so as to achieve a substantially uniform temperature distribution in the space.

In one embodiment of the invention, a first heat transmitter is disposed in an upper section of the hollow space and a second heat transmitter is disposed in the lower section of the hollow space. Also, means are connected to each transmitter to cause each to act either as a cooling transmitter or a heating transmitter so that in one operating state, the transmitter in the upper section cools the heat carrier medium in the upper section while in another operating state, the transmitter in the lower section heats the heat carrier medium in the lower section. In either state, due to a thermal gradient, the heat carrier medium is caused to circulate through the hollow space. "The wall element can preferably be designed in such a way that the hollow space is enclosed throughout. In such a case a pressure equalization can be made between the hollow space and the surrounding environment by means of a pressurecompensating opening in the wall element provided with a microfilter and/or a drying agent. In the case of a closed hollow space, the heat carrier medium circulates according to the natural buoyancy of the warm and the drop of the cold medium. It is, however, also possible to improve or to maintain the circulation by means of a suitable conveying installation.

The heat transmitter or transmitters can, in an arrangement according to the invention, be installed vertically in the wall element, preferably in one or in both border sections. The vertical arrangement offers the advantage that the identical heat transmitters can be used for the heating as well as for the cooling operation. In this connection, it is furthermore preferable if the vertical heat transmitter is separated at least in part from the balance of the hollow space by a guide rail running substantially parallel to its axis, with additional guide walls arranged substantially horizontally and provided with openings being able to distribute heat carrier medium from the upper and lower end of the heat transmitter over the width of the hollow space. In the case of a vertical arrangement of the heat transmitters these vertical and horizontal guide walls improve the distribution of the medium over the entire window area in the vertical and horizontal direction, respectively. The vertical heat transmitter or transmitters can, however, be designed in such a way that they are subdivided in the center so that, in a given state, the lower part is traversed by a heating medium and, in another operating state, the upper part by a cooling medium.

In other embodiments of the invention, the heat transmitters can be arranged horizontally in the upper and lower area of the hollow space and the hollow space can additionally be subdivided by at least one intermediary wall, likewise permeable to light and parallel to the front and rear walls, into two flow sections, traversed in sequence by the heat carrier medium within the space. In order to improve the natural convection in the hollow space in the case of wall sections exhibiting a closed hollow space that do not have a conveyor means for the forced circulation of the heat carrier medium, it is furthermore possible to subdivide the intermediary wall substantially in its center by at least one horizontally running slot. It is understood that horizontally and vertically arranged heat transmitters can also be used in a single window.

Electrical or chemical means can be used for the moderating or adjusting of the temperature of the heat carrier medium circulating in the hollow space which may be a gas or a liquid. It is, however, particularly advantageous if the heat transmitter or transmitters are traversed or flown through by an additional heating or cooling medium, which may for instance be water and which is suitably adjusted in temperature in a central plant.

It is furthermore advantageous if the heating and cooling output are controlled or adjusted by at least one heat transmitter as a function of a suitable temperature, wherein the control, e.g. dependent on the inside temperature, can be carried out by means of thermostatic valves arranged at the supply lines of the heating or cooling medium supplied to the heat transmitters. A certain automatic control of closed hollow spaces can be achieved if horizontally arranged heat transmitters are symmetrically arranged at both sides of the intermediary wall, because, given substantially identical temperatures in the vertical direction, the circulation of the heat carrier medium within the space comes to a rest.

In order to prevent as much as possible the burdening of the room by sun radiation through the windows, it is furthermore appropriate to provide externally in front or in the hollow space sun and/or light protective means. Such sun and/or light protective means can additionally be insulated from the hollow circulation space of the heat carrier by at least one additional light-permeable, closed intermediary wall, parallel to the front and rear walls or be covered by an identical wall toward the outside.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. la illustrates a view of a wall element according to th invention taken on line AA of FIG. lb;

FIG. Ib illustrates a view taken'on line 8-8 of FIG. la;

FIG. 2a illustrates a view taken on line A-A of FIG. 2b of a modified wall element according to the invention;

FIG. 2b illustrates a view taken on line B-B of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a illustrates a view taken on line A-A of FIG. 3b of another modified wall element according to the invention;

FIG. 3b illustrates a view taken on line B-B of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view similar to FIG. la of a modified wall element incorporating vertically and horizontally disposed heat transmitters;

FIG. 5 illustrates an end cross-sectional view of a modified wall element having horizontally disposed heat transmitters;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 5 of a wall element having a centrally interrupted intermediary partition wall;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view similar to FIG. 5 of a wall element having an insulating space between the heat transmitters and a louvered assembly;

FIG. 8a illustrates a view taken on line A-A of FIG. 80 of a wall element utilizing flaps for controlling the circulation of the heat carrier;

FIG. 8b illustrates a view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 80 illustrates a view taken on line C-C of FIG. 80;

FIG. 8d illustrates a view taken on line D-D of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9a illustratesa view of another modified wall element taken on line A-A of FIG. 9g;

FIG. 9b illustrates a view taken on line BB ofFlG. 9g;

FIGS. 9c to 9f illustrates views taken respectively on lines C-C, D-D, E-E and F-F of FIGS. 9a and 9b combined; and

FIG. 93 illustrates a view taken on line G-G of FIG. 9a.

Referring to the drawings, like reference characters are used to indicate like parts in the various FIGS. for simplicity and clarity.

Referring to FIGS. 1a and lb, a wallelement constructed as a window includes a front wall 1, a spaced-apart rear wall 2, and lateral frame sidewalls 3 between the front and rear walls I, 2 which fully enclose a hollow space 4. The front wall l which faces into an interior space of a building in which the wall element is mounted and the rear wall 2 which faces the exterior of the interior space are both made of a light transmissive or transparent material, for example, glass, glasslike plastic and the like. The front and rear walls 1, 2 can also be partially covered with nontransparent material or made integrally with nontransparent material in some areas and transparent material in other areas so that the transparent areas form a window.

A pair of vertically arranged heat transmitters or exchangers 5 are mounted within the space 4 of the wall element and are connected to conduit lines 6, 7 to conduct a temperature moderating or adjusting medium therethrough. Each heat transmitter 5 includes a duct 14 through which the temperature-moderating medium flows and a plurality of fins 8 disposed in vertical parallel relation to the walls I, 2. The fins 8 are arranged in the two marginal sections of the hollow space 4 and extend to to top and bottom of the wall element close to the horizontal frame sidewalls 3.

In operation, with a light-transmissive heat carrier medium within the hollow space 4, in order to cool and lower the temperature of the medium within the space 4, for example, during summertime, a cooling medium is charged through the upper conduit line 6 from a cooling medium source A via a suitable valve B, such as a three-way valve, which is adapted to selectively open and close off the flow into the line 6. The cooling medium then flows through the ducts 14 of the respective transmitters 5 to absorb heat from the heat carrier medium in the hollow space 4 and thereby reduce the temperature therein. The cooling medium thereafter passes out through the lower conduit line 7 through a suitable valve C, such as a three-way valve, into a bypass line D. Duringflowof the cooling medium through the transmitters 5, the heat carrier medium is caused to flow within the hollow space in a pattern as shown by the broken arrows in FIG. la. That .is, the heat carrier medium flows downwardly along the fins 8 during cooling and recirculates upwardlyat the center of the hollow space 4 due to the temperature differential in the flow.

In order to heat and raise the temperature of the heat carrier medium within the space 4, for example, during wintertime, a heating medium is charged through the lower conduit line 7 from a heating medium source E via the valve C which is adapted to selectively open the flow into the line 7 while closing off the bypass line D. The heating medium then flows upwardly through the ducts 14 to give up heat to the light-transmissive medium and discharges through the upper conduit line 6 via the valve B which closes off the cooling medium source A while opening a bypass line F. During this time, the medium within the space flows in a pattern which is the reverse of that described above during cooling, as shown by the unbroken arrows in FIG. Ia due to the temperature differential in theflow.

Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, instead of using two or more heat transmitters within the enclosed space 4 of the wall element, a single heat transmitter 5 is placed centrally of the space 4. The transmitter 5 is aligned, for example, with the rear wall 2, so that the duct 14 is spaced adjacent the rear wall 2 with the fins 8 disposed vertically and perpendicularly to the rear wall 2. In addition, the fins 8 are sized to terminate at a distance from the upper and lower horizontal frame sidewalls 3 so as to permit adequate circulation of the heat carrier medium. In operation, depending upon whether a cooling medium is conveyed through the conduit lines 6, 7 or a heating medium is conveyed through the conduit lines 7, 6, the circulation of the medium within the space 4 follows a path along the fins 8, downwardly or upwardly, and then along the spaces adjacent the transmitter 5, upwardly or downwardly as shown by the broken and unbroken arrows, respectively, in FIG. 2a.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wall element is provided with only one heat transmitter 5 which is subdivided into an upper part 5b and into a lower part 5a. In operation,'the lower part 5a is charged with a heating medium via conduit lines 7 during heating operation and the upper part 5b is charged with. a cooling medium via conduit lines 6 during cooling operation. The fins 8 of the heat transmitter 5 are radially arranged around the duct 14 for the flow of the heat carrier medium thereacross. In addition, guide walls 9, 10, 11 are positioned across the space 4 from front wall 1 to rear wall 2 in order to separate the transmitter 5 from the remainder of the space 4. To this end, the plane of the guide wall 9 runs vertically to the wall 1 and 2 and the plane of the guide walls 10, 11 runs substantially horizontally. The guide walls 10 and 11 are provided with apertures or elongated slots 13 in order to allow passage of the medium within the space 4.

In operation, the guide walls 9, l0, and 11 serve for the vertical and horizontal distribution of the medium circulating in the hollow space 4. The vertical guide wall 9 can in such an ar- I rangement, and particularly with an arrangement according to FIG. 1, be placed directly on the fins 8 as a cover wall or,as illustrated in FIG. 3, be interrupted in the center, which is particularly advantageous if the heat transmitter is subdivided into an upper part 5b and a lower part 5a. Furthermore, the guide walls 9, l0, and II can be designed as a single bent guide wall or as two walls extending at obtuse angles into the hollow space, which run substantially from the center of the transmitter 5 obliquely toward both sides to the upper and lower edge of the wall element.

Referring to FIG. 4 a wall element can be particularly suited for regions with a prevailing moderate climate without any extreme hot or cold loads imposing themselves from the outside on a room. For example, the windowlike wall element is subdivided into a plurality of sectional hollow spaces 19 by means of a plurality of separator walls 16 arranged perpendicular to the walls 1 and 2 and extending across the entire width between said walls. The two outer spaces 19a are provided ,in

proximity of their edges with vertically arranged heat transmitters 5 of a type, described above, for example, with radiating fins. In addition,.each of the various sections 19 is pro- .vided in alternating manner in the upperor lower areas, with a mediary sections 19b are provided for cooling. The conduit supply line 6 for the heating or cooling medium therefore branches off into two parallel lines 6b and 7b, of which the line 6b supplies the heat transmitters 18 for cooling operation and line 7b the heat transmitters 5 and 17 for heating operation with the heat carrier medium in the space 4. A multiway valve controlled either manually or thermostatically or changed over by the same means (not shown) that influence the amount of the medium passing through the line 6 is placed at the junction of the lines 6b, 7b to alternate the flow. As shown, the valve 15 is in position for heating operation,

In addition, the horizontally disposed guide walls 10 and 11 are provided with slots 13 and are disposed in the upper areas above the transmitters 18 and below the transmitters 17 for the horizontal distribution of the circulating heat carrier medium in the space 4. In order to prevent unfavorable influencing of the circulation of the heat carrier medium, as a result of emission or absorption of heat by the lines 6 and 7, these lines, insofar as necessary, are surrounded by insulating material 20. In a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrows indicate the direction of flow of the medium in the individual sections 19 in the case of both modes of operation, the flow being in the same direction for either heating or cooling.

Referring to FIG. 5, the wall element is provided with horizontal heat transmitters 29 and 30 arranged in the upper and lower areas, respectively, of the space 4; however, at a distance from the respective horizontal frame element 3. The heat transmitter 30 serves for heating and the heat transmitter 29 for cooling of the heat carrier medium within the space 4. The transmitting elements 30 and 29 are also connected to a heating or cooling medium network (not shown) as described above for flow of a heating or cooling medium therethrough.

An intermediary wall 31 running parallel to the walls 1 and 2 is mounted within the space 4 to divide the hollow space 4 into the flow sections 41 and 42 for traversal by the medium in the space 4 in sequence and in opposite directions. The wall 31 thus acts as a guide for the circulating medium forcing it to pass either through the upper transmitting element 29 during cooling operation or through the lower transmitting element 30 during heating operation. Further, flaps 32, 33 are pivotally mounted around shafts 34 adjacent the heat transmitters 259 and 30 in order to close off the heat transmitter which is not in use during a heating or cooling operation in order to reduce the resistance to flow. These flaps 32, 33 also prevent at the same time a bypass current from flowing through the opening 21 formed between the wall 31 and flaps 32, 33 past the respective heat transmitter 30 or 29 in operation at a given moment. The flaps 32, 33 can be controlled manually or automatically. Also, their position can be adjusted throughout the entire range of pivoting as a variable of an appropriate temperature in order to allow a partial bypass current of the circulating heat carrier medium to pass the respectively operative heat transmitter 29 or 30, operating for the adjustment, e.g. of the surface temperature of the interior wall 1.

In addition, a sun or light protective means 35 is arranged in proximity of the rear wall 2 of the wall element within the hollow space 4 and, for instance, is designed as a louvered screen such as a Venetian blind. The purpose of these louvers of the protective means is, primarily, to intercept the heat load imposed on the room from sun irradiation. Where the louvers are not designed as elements to substantially completely reflect the sunlight, but instead take up a large part of the incident sun energy by absorption, then the louvers are completely separated from the hollow circulation space 4 preferably by at least one additional light-transmissive intermediary wall 22 parallel to the walls 1, 31 and 2. In this way, it is possible to substantially reduce the cooling output required for the cooling of the wall element upon sun irradiation.

Referring to FIG. 6, an intermediary wall 31 is positioned substantially in the center of the space 4 with a horizontal slot 23 at an intermediate point. The remainder of the wall element is similar to that of FIG. 5 and like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts. The slot 23 allows the medium in the space to circulate during heating substantially only in the lower area of the sections 41, 42 and, during cooling, substantially only in the upper area ofthe sections 41, 42. The use of an interrupted intermediary wall 31 is advantageous particularly in those instances where, with the hollow space 4 being enclosed on all sides, the buoyancy of heated and the drop of cooled heat carrier medium is small as a result of slight temperature differentials. An adequate circulation of the heat carrier medium can, in these instances, still be maintained by means of the horizontal slot 23.

Moreover, in the wall element of FlG. 6, the sun-protective slats or louvers of the sun-protective means 35 are arranged as external slats or louvers in front of the rear wall 2 outside the wall element.

Referring to FIG. 7, radial-type heat transmitters 29, 30 of a wall element having an intermediate wall 31 as above described are arranged in both sections 41 and 42 symmetrically to the intermediary wall 31. As a result, it is possible to achieve to a certain extent a temperature-dependent autoadjustment in the hollow space 4 for the buoyancy of the hot air and the drop of the cold air and, thus, the circulation of the heat carrier medium in the space 4 becomes less and less, the greater the balancing of the vertical temperature differentials within the hollow space 4. In a state of equilibrium, i.e. if substantially the same temperature be present throughout in vertical direction at the interior wall 1 as well as at the exterior wall 2, circulation comes to a halt. As a result, the respective heat transmitters 29 and 30 no longer remove any heat from or supply any heat to the sections 21 and 42 of the hollow space 4. Next to the wall 31 a second intermediary wall 36 has been arranged in the lower area in order to form a hollow insulating space between both walls 31, 36. This insulating space is filled with a stationary heat carrier medium of light-transmissive type.

The external louvers of the sun-protective means 35 are again used as sun-protective agents and are, however, protected against atmospheric influences by an exterior protective wall 25 which is likewise light-transmissive. In addition, the space 27 containing the external louvers is thermally insulated with respect to the hollow space 4 by two light-transmissive intermediary wall 22 and two hollow insulating spaces 24 formed between the intermediary walls 22 and the rear wall 2. As described in connection with FIG. 5, the insulations serve primarily to reduce the heat loads occurring as a result of sun irradiation.

Referring to H6. 8, a wall element has an enclosed hollow space 4 which is subdivided into a plurality of sections by partition walls 9, 31 and 40 disposed vertically parallel and perpendicular to the walls 1 and 2, as well as by horizontal guide walls 10 and 11 provided with openings or slots 13. These sections are traversed in sequence by the circulating heat carrier medium in the space 4. In this arrangement, the partition wall 9 separates a section 50 in the left-hand edge part of the space 4 from the balance of the hollow space 4, which section accommodates a vertically arranged heat transmitter 5. In the area of the right-hand edge section, a similar partition wall 40 defines a section 49, hereinafter referred to as backflow or return space. As above, a partition wall 31 is arranged in the inner space between the walls 9 and 40 and extends from the upper to the lower edge limit of the horizontal sidewalls 3 to subdivide this inner space into the two flow sections 41, 42. Finally, horizontal guide walls 10 and 11 have openings 13 therein to provide for a uniform distribution of the circulating medium in the sections 36 and 37 above and the sections 38 and 39 below the sections 41 and 42.

arranged openings 45 and 52 which can be closed or opened by flaps 59 and 60 similar to those above.

FIGS. 8b and dshow the positions of the flaps 57, 58, 59, 60 for heating in solid lines and, for cooling operation, in dashed lines.

Beginning with the heat transmitter 5, the heating operation causes the circulating medium to flow through the various sections in the following sequence. First, the heat carrier medium flows upwards in section 50, reaches the section 36 via the opening 44, travels through the wall 10 downward into the section 41, through the wall 11 into the section 38, horizontally through the openings 52 into the backflow or return space 49, flows from there upwards and through the openings 51 into the section 37. From the latter section 37, the current flows downward through the wall it) into the section 42 and through the wall it into the section 39. By means of the opening 45, the circuit closes back into the space 50.

in a cooling operation, section 50 is connected with section 38 and section 37, while the openings 52 between the sections 49 and 39, and 51, between the sections 36 and 49, are likewise opened. As a result, the flow direction in all vertical sections is reversed.

It should furthermore be mentioned that, in this system, the flow sections 41 and 42 sewing for the air-conditioning of the room by the emission of heat to or the absorption of heat from the environment are, contrary to the preceding examples, traversed in sequence in identical direction. It should furthermore be mentioned that it is possible to provide a heat transmitter 5 in the backflow or return space 49, which can be suitably connected in series with the illustrated transmitter 5.

in FIGS. 8b and 8d, the direction in which the flaps 57 to 60 are turned upon transition from heating to cooling operation is indicated by small arrows.

Referring to FIG. 9, a wall element includes a hollow space which is subdivided by intermediary, guide, and partition walls into several sections as above. in a manner similar to that of the prior example and shown in H6. 3, the flow sections 43 and 42 essential for the air-conditioning of the interior room space are traversed in sequence in an identical direction. The parallel traversing through the sections 41 and 42 offers the additional advantage that, for instance during heating, a part of the heat given off by the heat carrier medium to the outside during downward passage in section 41 serves for the heating of the medium flowing likewise downward in section 42 and therefore heats the latter especially at the beginning of its flow path in section 42 and not substantially at the end of this flow path, that is to say, shortly prior to its reentry into the heat transmitter 5. As a result, one obtains to a certain extent a heat recovery. The same effect occurs of course also during cooling operation with the cooling of the medium at the beginning of the flow section 42.

in this wall element the space 50 for the heat transmitter 5 and the backflow or return space 49 are arranged at the same side of the hollow space, with the space 50 being situated in the lateral extension of the section 41, and the space 49 which can also be provided with a heat transmitter, in the lateral extension of the section 42.

Both spaces 49 and 50 are separated from one another by a partition wall 61 extending along the entire elevation of the hollow space 4 and insulated against ambient influences by means of insulating material 20. A wall 43 separates the space 50 from the flow section 4!. Between this wall and the upper and lower sidewalls 3 of the hollow space there remains an opening 62 and 63, respectively, leading into an upper and lower flap space 46 and 47. In like manner, the wall 48 separates the bacltflow or return space 49 from the flow space 42. By means of the openings 51 and 52, the backflow or return space 49is connected with, respectively, the upper and lower flap space 53 and 54, with the flap spaces 53 and 54 being closed with respect to section 42 by means of the walls 67, 69 and 68, 70. The openings 71 and 72 connect the flap spaces 53 and 54 with the sections 37 and 38 serving for the horizontal distribution of the medium, which sections 37 and 38 are separated in turn from the section 42 by means of slotted guide walls 10 and 11, respectively.

The llap spaces 46 and 49 are likewise separated with respect to the flow section 41 by guide walls 10 and 11 provided with openings or slots, which, also in this case, simultaneously separate the horizontally traversed sections 36 and 38 from the section 41 and provide for a uniform distribution of the medium over the entire width of the section 41. in each case, the outer part of the flap spaces 46 and 47 is closed off from the sections 36 and 38 by means of a wall 64 and 65, respectively, whereas the openings 66a and 66b connect the flap spaces 46 and 47 with the sections 36 and 38.

Between or respectively within the flap spaces 46 and 53 or 47 and 54 there are respectively arranged flaps 55 and 56 situated with their axes in the plane of the intermediary wall 31 and carrying two vanes at a l80 angle. Depending on their position, these flaps 55 and S6 permit either a vertical flow between the outer and inner section of each individual flap space or else a horizontal flow respectively between the outer and inner areas of the flap spaces 46 and 53 or 47 and 54. The [lap 55 therefore opens or closes the passage cross sections 74 and 75 between the outer and inner area of the flap spaces 46 and 53 or the cross sections 76 and 77 between the flap spaces 46 and 53. Accordingly, the flap 56 is effective in the openings 73 and 79 or 80 and 8K in, respectively between, the spaces 47 and 54.

In FIGS. and 9g there are shown the flap positions of the flaps 55 and 56 as well as the current path of the medium for the heat operation wherein thecurrents running perpendicular to the plane of the drawing are indicated by means of small circles. The medium which in the simplest case is air, is heated by the heat transmitter 5, then passes through the opening 62 (H0. 90), the flap space 46 and the opening 74, and enters through the opening 66a into the horizontal distributor section 36. From there it passes through the guide walls 10 downward in the first flow section 41 effective in performing room airconditioning. After it has reached the horizontal collector section 33 via. the waif it through the opening 66b (FIG. 92) into the inner part of the flap space 47, the opening 86 in the inner part of the space 54 and the opening 52 and flows upward (FiG. 9b) into the backflow or return space 49 in order to reach the distributor section 37 through the openings 51, 75 and 7H and the flap space 53. By means of the slots 13 of the wall B0 it enters the second more externally situated flow section 42 effective for the room air-conditioning, penetrates the same vertically from the top down, collects in the space 3? and flows for reheating through the openings 72, 8B, and 63 (H691) and the flap spaces 54 and 47 into the space 50 and thus back to the heat transmitter 5.

in a cooling operation, the flap positions 55 and 56 are exactly interchanged so that the openings 76, 77 and 78, 79 are now opened and the passage openings 74, 75 and 80, 81 are closed. As a result, there is obtained upon cooling a horizontal current between the flap spaces 46 and 53 and a vertical current in the flap spaces 47 and 54. Moreover, the medium acting as a coolant traversesthe transmitter 5 and the backflow or return space 49, respectively the sections 41 and 42, vertically in opposite direction, i.e. from the top downward, respectively, from the bottom upward.

Although the invention has been illustrated and explained by means of wall elements having hollow spaces enclosed on all sides, it is by no means limited to closed systems, but can likewise be used with windows in which the hollow space between the wall 1 and 2 is opened, for instance, at the top and at the bottom, and in which, viewed in the direction of the flow, one heat transmitter is arranged behind each of the openings. Such an open system will then be traversed, for instance, by the room atmosphere which, upon entering the hollow space, is suitably adjusted to heat or cool the room and which, after traversing the hollow space, exits again into the room.

it should furthermore be mentioned that it is possible to arrange means in the circulation path of the circulating medium for achieving a control of the surface temperature of the inner wall of the wall element. For example, a means can be provided to control the quantity participating in the heat transmission or the rate of circulation of the medium. Such means are, e.g. throttle valves or bypass valves which reduce the amount of flow per unit of time or which conduct a part of the circulating medium past the heat transmitter. Furthermore, it is likewise possible to operate a delivery means having differential speeds.

The wall element in accordance with the invention can of course be used not only for keeping of the external climatic loads from the interior space, but can also, in addition, act simultaneously as a heating or cooling surface for an interior space in that its front wall facing the interior space does, in addition, give off heat to the room or absorb heat from same.

It is finally noted that the above described structures contain similar parts to those described in my copending applications, Ser. No. 741,523 filed July 1, I968, Ser. No. 741,484 filed July 1, 1968 and Ser. No. 74l,382 filed July 1, 1968 and reference is made thereto for further clarity.

What I claim is:

l. A wall element for use as a window comprising a first wall having a transparent area therein;

a second wall having a transparent area therein spaced from said first wall to define a space therebetween for circulation of a heat carrier therein;

a frame connected to said first and second walls about said space enclosing said space to maintain the heat carrier therein; 7

a first heat transmitter disposed between said walls and extending in the upper region of said space for exchanging heat with the heat carrier in said space;

a second heat transmitter disposed between said walls and extending in the lower region of said space for exchanging heat with the heat carrier in said space;

first means connected to at least said first transmitter to remove heat from the heat carrier; and

second means connected to at least said second heat transmitter to add heat to the heat carrier in alternating manner with said first means.

2. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame fully encloses said space and which further comprises a pressure-compensating means connected to said frame in communication with said fully enclosed space for compensating changes in pressure therein.

3. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said heat transmitters is disposed in a vertical plane and extends to within said upper region and said lower region of said space.

4. A wall element as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one vertically disposed heat transmitter is mounted in a lateral edge region of said space between said first and second walls.

5. A wall element as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vertically disposed heat transmitter is subdivided in an upper part disposed in said upper region of said space and a lower part disposed in said lower region of said space whereby said upper part can remove heat from the heat carrier and said lower part can introduce heat into the heat carrier in alternate states of operation.

6. A wall element as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a guide wall disposed between said first and second walls adjacent to and parallel with said vertically disposed heat transmitter, said guide wall separating said vertically disposed heat transmitter in a part of said space from the remainder of said space.

7. A wall element as set forth in claim 6 further comprising at least one horizontally disposed guide wall between said first and second walls in each of said upper and lower regions of said space, said horizontally disposed guide walls having openings therein and being disposed adjacent said vertically disposed guide wall for distributing the heat carrier across said s ace.

8. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second heat transmitters are each disposed on horizontal planes.

9. A wall element as set forth in claim 8 further comprising an intermediate light-transmissive wall between said first and second heat transmitters in parallel relation to said first and second walls dividing said space into a pair of sequentially interconnected flow sections for sequential traversal of the heat carrier.

10. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 wherein said intermediate wall has a horizontally disposed slot substantially at the center thereof.

11. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a second intermediate wall parallel to and spaced from said first intermediate wall, said second intermediate wall extend ing up to at least one-half the height of said first intermediate wall to define an insulation space therebetwcen for containing stationary amount of the heat carrier.

12. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 wherein said heat transmitters are symmetrically arranged with respect to both sides of said intermediate wall.

13. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means connected to each of said heat transmitters for passing a heating or cooling medium therethrough for heat exchange with the heat carrier in said space.

14. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the heat exchange output of at least one of said heat transmitters with respect to a predetermined temperature.

15. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising protective means for preventing passage of solar radiation through said space.

16. A wall element as set forth in claim 15 wherein said protective means is positioned within said space between said walls.

17. A wall element as set forth in claim 16 further comprising at least one intermediate light-transmissive wall parallel to said first and second walls within said space to divide said space into an insulation space and a circulation space, said protective means being positioned between one of said first and second walls and said intermediate wall in said insulation space and said heat transmitters being positioned between the other of said first and second walls and said intermediate wall in said circulation space.

18. A wall element as set forth in claim 15 wherein said protective means is positioned outside said space adjacent one of said walls.

19. A wall element for use as a window comprising a pair of spaced-apart walls having transparent areas therein;

a frame mounted laterally around said walls to define an enclosed space therewith for receiving a heat carrier;

a heat transmitter disposed in said space between said walls,

and

means for selectively charging one of a heating medium and a cooling medium through said heat transmitter to create a heat exchange with the heat carrier in such enclosed space to alternately add heat to the heat carrier and absorb heat from the heat carrier.

20. A wall element as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means includes a lower conduit line connected to said heat transmitter for charging of a heating medium into said transmitter and an upper conduit line connected to said transmitter for charging of a cooling medium into said transmitter.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 913 Dated July 6, 197].

Inventor(s) Hans Rudolf Tschudin It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the title, designation 73, change "Sulver Brothers, Ltd. to --Su1zer Brothers, Ltd.--

Column 3, line 52, change to to" to --to the-- Signed and sealed this 21st day of December 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PC2-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC suave-ps9 U 5, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 196i 0-366-334 

1. A wall element for use as a window comprising a first wall having a transparent area therein; a second wall having a transparent area therein spaced from said first wall to define a space therebetween for circulation of a heat carrier therein; a frame connected to said first and second walls about said space enclosing said space to maintain the heat carrier therein; a first heat transmitter disposed between said walls and extending in the upper region of said space for exchanging heat with the heat carrier in said space; a second heat transmitter disposed between said walls and extending in the lower region of said space for exchanging heat with the heat carrier in said space; first means connected to at least said first transmitter to remove heat from the heat carrier; and second means connected to at least said second heat transmitter to add heat to the heat carrier in alternating manner with said first means.
 2. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame fully encloses said space and which further comprises a pressure-compensating means connected to said frame in communication with said fully enclosed space for compensating changes in pressure therein.
 3. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said heat transmitters is disposed in a vertical plane and extends to within said upper region and said lower region of said space.
 4. A wall element as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one vertically disposed heat transmitter is mounted in a lateral edge region of said space between said first and second walls.
 5. A wall element as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vertically disposed heat transmitter is subdivided in an upper part disposed in said upper region of said space and a lower part disposed in said lower region of said space whereby said upper part can remove heat from the heat carrier and said lower part can introduce heat into the heat carrier in alternate states of operation.
 6. A wall element as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a guide wall disposed between said first and second walls adjacent to and parallel with said vertically disposed heat transmitter, said guide wall separating said vertically disposed heat transmitter in a part of said space from the remainder of said space.
 7. A wall element as set forth in claim 6 further comprising at least one horizontally disposed guide wall between said first and second walls in each of said upper and lower regions of said space, said horizontally disposed guide walls having openings therein anD being disposed adjacent said vertically disposed guide wall for distributing the heat carrier across said space.
 8. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second heat transmitters are each disposed on horizontal planes.
 9. A wall element as set forth in claim 8 further comprising an intermediate light-transmissive wall between said first and second heat transmitters in parallel relation to said first and second walls dividing said space into a pair of sequentially interconnected flow sections for sequential traversal of the heat carrier.
 10. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 wherein said intermediate wall has a horizontally disposed slot substantially at the center thereof.
 11. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a second intermediate wall parallel to and spaced from said first intermediate wall, said second intermediate wall extending up to at least one-half the height of said first intermediate wall to define an insulation space therebetween for containing stationary amount of the heat carrier.
 12. A wall element as set forth in claim 9 wherein said heat transmitters are symmetrically arranged with respect to both sides of said intermediate wall.
 13. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means connected to each of said heat transmitters for passing a heating or cooling medium therethrough for heat exchange with the heat carrier in said space.
 14. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the heat exchange output of at least one of said heat transmitters with respect to a predetermined temperature.
 15. A wall element as set forth in claim 1 further comprising protective means for preventing passage of solar radiation through said space.
 16. A wall element as set forth in claim 15 wherein said protective means is positioned within said space between said walls.
 17. A wall element as set forth in claim 16 further comprising at least one intermediate light-transmissive wall parallel to said first and second walls within said space to divide said space into an insulation space and a circulation space, said protective means being positioned between one of said first and second walls and said intermediate wall in said insulation space and said heat transmitters being positioned between the other of said first and second walls and said intermediate wall in said circulation space.
 18. A wall element as set forth in claim 15 wherein said protective means is positioned outside said space adjacent one of said walls.
 19. A wall element for use as a window comprising a pair of spaced-apart walls having transparent areas therein; a frame mounted laterally around said walls to define an enclosed space therewith for receiving a heat carrier; a heat transmitter disposed in said space between said walls, and means for selectively charging one of a heating medium and a cooling medium through said heat transmitter to create a heat exchange with the heat carrier in such enclosed space to alternately add heat to the heat carrier and absorb heat from the heat carrier.
 20. A wall element as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means includes a lower conduit line connected to said heat transmitter for charging of a heating medium into said transmitter and an upper conduit line connected to said transmitter for charging of a cooling medium into said transmitter. 